Linkbudgets

Radio planning starts with a linkbudget. Every individual parameter of the system definition that
is applied to the unit is derived from the linkbudget. Also the planning goals are held by the
linkbudget.

Because of this a simple explanantion of a linkbudget is given.

For this explanation I use a recitation that I held for the local amateurradio group of the
VERON in Maastricht. The explanantion about Linkbudgets is also used in a recitation about
radioplanning. The values are taken from a 70cm repeater near Maastricht: PI2MST.

The linkbudget limits the distance that a radio signal can travel at wich the
required service availabilty is reached.

To be able to calculate the value and visualise the result in Radio Mobile we need more detailed
information. Genarally there is a situtation where a central transmitter is having contact with a
mobile or a hand held radio. But linkbudgets are also used in poit to point links. In this example
we use a base station and a hend held portable.

specifications of the repeater.

 Phone repeater at 430.075 MHz

 TX: ~ 10 Watt = 40 dBm
 RX: ~ 0,15 µV = -124 dBm
at 12 dB Sinad
 TX attenuation 3 dB
 RX attenuation 3 dB
 Antenna gain (dipole) 2,2 dBi
(0 dBd)

Specifications of the handheld radio

 THD7
 TX: ~ 5 Watt = 37 dBm
 RX: ~ 0,18 µV = -122 dBm
at 12 dB Sinad
 Antenna gain – 4 dB
 Body loss 6 dB

Up- and downlink

With a radiolink it is important that both stations can reach each other. In that cas there is a link
balance. In the cas ttha on can hear the other but cannot reach him there is a lin un-balance.
This happens when one of teh stations has 1000 Watt and the other just 5 Watt.
This table shows the linkbalans calculation for the described case: